Robert Hawkins

Statements in Debates

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 39)

I look forward to that. Thank you for that commitment. On that same vein, does the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, through the early childhood development programming -- and I would like to boldly call it initiative because it’s very important that we stand behind these things -- supply or help fund resources that look at physiotherapy, speech and language pathology, things along those types of lines? Now, they’re slightly different when I referred to it earlier. I’m getting sort of into the nuts and bolts of actual accredited organizations. Sorry, accredited skills. My...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 39)

I’m not sure that the average person knows that there’s fluoridation in the particular water. I think it’s sort of an old-school approach that you either assume, or it is or it isn’t in water. How often does the chief medical officer review the results of the particular pros and cons of the value of fluoridation that is out there? Again, I’m not talking about the municipality managing or putting it into their system. I’m talking about the quality and public safety.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 39)

Early childhood development is a very important issue within the riding and certainly with myself. I just want to make sure that we’re providing the right type of support. I often hear concerns about not receiving enough funding support when it comes to being able to address issues such as speech and language as well as behaviour, which I would think falls directly on the Department of Education when you’re funding these organizations. Does the department provide that type of service? I know the deputy minister had alluded, or I should say quite directly pointed out that they provide language...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As many people in this Assembly know, water management is a municipal issue but water quality, I believe, falls under a public health point of view. My questions will be directed to the Minister of Health and Social Services from a public health point of view.

With recent awareness regarding the concerns of fluoridation treatment in water, there have been a lot of pros and cons on this particular issue. I’d like to ask the Minister of Health and Social Services what public health is doing to review the quantity of fluoridation in the water that is being provided to our...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The area I’d like to seek some further information on early childhood development in a different vein as raised by a previous colleague. Mr. Chairman, I’d like to find out how many institutions are funded under this year’s program of $7.3 million and does the Minister have a list that he could provide me with a breakout of that funding formula. As well, on a last note, by community and by how many students that attend those particular facilites or, I should put in brackets, we anticipate to attend. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 39)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to speak to a number of concerns related to the perspective of the Liquor Board where the Liquor Act and the regulations are silent.

The NWT’s Liquor Board is made up of nine members appointed by the Minister. Members are selected on a regional basis to ensure that there is fair representation. Looking at this closely, I notice that there is a clear gap in board representation in the context of fair representation. Quite simply, there is no representative from the hospitality industry formally included. The only way someone from the hospitality industry can be...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 38)

Mr. Speaker, has the government consulted at all with small business in any form on the initiative of red tape and how the government can respond to the needs and requirements that have been created by the administrative burden through the bureaucracy in its requirement and hunger and thirst for more paper? Has the Minister engaged small business? Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 38)

Alright. Same question; let’s just insert the work administration fee. Thank you.

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 38)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I would like to return to a topic I have raised in this House before which continues to be of great concern to me. It’s a matter of government red tape and how frustrating and problematic it is for small business. It’s nothing but a roadblock and a burden on our industry.

Red tape restricts small business activities, creates more paperwork and leads to frustration. Of course, we all recognize the need for regulatory regulations and reporting, but there must be clear and reasonable requirements. I also empathize with small business owners and employees who must deal...

Debates of , 16th Assembly, 5th Session (day 38)

Just changing subjects but in a somewhat related manner, the Minister has mentioned that, I guess it sounds as if it is the department or Stanton that purchases items on behalf of other authorities, does the Minister’s office support any type of mark-up if it is Stanton, by way of example purchasing medical equipment and then selling it to an authority, do they support any type of mark-up on any particular product that is resold? Thank you.